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Headshot of Jennifer Hostetter

Re-Elect Jennifer Hostetter

Boone County Council, District 1

Experience Matters. Proven Leadership.

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About the Candidate

Proven Leadership for Boone County

Jennifer Hostetter is a Partner Attorney at Connell Michael, LLP and the current President of the Boone County Council. Jennifer represents District 1. A longtime Zionsville resident, Jennifer is known for bringing a steady, composed presence to high-stakes situations—whether in the courtroom or the council chamber. She works diligently to understand the issues facing residents and is committed to achieving the best possible outcomes for Boone County.

Throughout her time in public service, Jennifer has demonstrated proven leadership by working collaboratively with fellow elected officials and county department leaders to promote effective and efficient government operations. Her record of service reflects a commitment to transparency, accountability, and responsible decision-making, ensuring residents remain informed and engaged in the issues that affect their community.

Named to IBJ's 2026 Forty Under 40

“

I aim to continue strong fiscal responsibility, and uphold the core values and traditions our community believes in.

”

— Jennifer Hostetter, 2026

Photos of Jennifer

Jennifer Hostetter and Family
Jennifer Hostetter on the campaign trail 1
Jennifer Hostetter on the campaign trail 2
Jennifer Hostetter on the campaign trail 3
Jennifer Hostetter on the campaign trail 4
Jennifer Hostetter on the campaign trail 5

Record of Service

Experience

Over a decade in law and public service

Partner Attorney, Connell Michael LLP (2012 – Present)

Jennifer focuses exclusively on family law — contentious divorce, custody litigation, parenting time disputes, and post-decree modifications. She is a trained and registered domestic relations mediator, parenting coordinator, and guardian ad litem, bringing a calm yet assertive presence to emotionally complex cases.

Prior to her current practice, she also represented clients in criminal defense and estate planning matters.

Boone County Council Member (2019 – Present)

Proven Leadership in Rapid Growth: Serving on the Boone County Council since 2019 and as President since 2025, Jennifer has successfully navigated the county through its fastest growing period in history.

Fiscal Stewardship: Managed a crucial 18% increase in net assessed value and guided complex budget and taxation decisions to fund infrastructure, public safety, and critical community services.

Crisis & Conflict Resolution: Proven ability to moderate highly contentious public debates, successfully steering the approval of major projects like the Ern K. Hudson Justice Center.

Forward-Thinking Governance: Balances immediate infrastructure demands—like aligning roads with a 14.5% population growth—with long-term investments in public health, substance abuse recovery programs, and economic opportunities.

Community Service

Opioid Settlement Committee, board member. Former Cheer Director and coach for the Zionsville Youth Football League. Former Zionsville Education Foundation board member. Former Boone County Community Corrections Board member. Former task force participant for Judge David's annual in-service training. Former Boone County Chamber of Commerce, board member.

Bar Memberships

Indiana State Bar Association • Indianapolis Bar Association • Hamilton County Bar Association • Boone County Bar Association • California State Bar Association • American Bar Association

What People Are Saying

Endorsements

Boone County Firefighters, IAFF Local 5195, support Jennifer Hostetter for Boone County Council, District 1
Boone County Professional Firefighters Association Local 5195

The Role

What Does the Boone County Council Do?

  1. Holds ultimate decision-making power over county finances and appropriations
  2. Approves and fixes annual operating budgets of all county government offices
  3. Sets salaries, wages, per diems, and other compensation for all county officials and employees
  4. Adopts tax rates and establishes property tax levies to fund budget needs
  5. Reviews the budgets of other local government units within the county

The Priorities

Major Issues Facing the Boone County Council

Public Safety

Keeping Boone County safe is essential to protecting our quality of life. Supporting our law enforcement, emergency management, and fire services is more than just a line item – it requires dedicated, sustainable funding year after year.

This takes proper funding that supports proactive measures, such as adequate road patrols, community outreach, and mental health initiatives for first responders, which helps prevent crime and reduce costly emergency interventions down the road.

Furthermore, ensuring competitive compensation protects our investment by attracting and retaining skilled officers, firefighters, and emergency responders.

“Safe neighborhoods and reliable emergency services are the backbone of a strong local economy. Investing in our first responders, law enforcement, and judicial system is more than just funding essential services. We are protecting our property values, supporting local business, and ensuring Boone County continues to be a wonderful place to live and work.”
— Jennifer Hostetter

Infrastructure

Growth brings opportunity, but it also places unprecedented demand on our roads, bridges, and local utilities. The County Council’s responsibility is to ensure our local infrastructure keeps pace – without placing an undue burden on taxpayers.

With comprehensive, long-term capital planning we can continue to fund critical bridge preservation, address high-traffic corridors, and guarantee smart investment across the county while maintaining strict fiscal discipline.

Tax Base Management & Property Tax Legislation

Recent state property tax reforms and legislative caps have fundamentally altered how local governments budget. The County Council must proactively manage our local tax base to protect homeowners from rising property taxes while ensuring core county services remain fully funded.

Exercising strict budget oversight, scrutinizing county appropriations, and strategically managing Local Income Tax distributions will ensure Boone County stays financially strong while keeping life affordable for our residents.

“Balancing the budget is much more than just managing today’s dollars – it’s about ensuring sustainable economic vitality for Boone County’s future generations.”
— Jennifer Hostetter

Managing Growth & Development

Boone County’s rapid population and economic growth directly impacts all our county government operations. The County Council’s responsibility is to manage the financial realities of this growth – ensuring all departments are properly funded and staffed to meet increased service demands while avoiding unnecessary budget expansion.

“As Boone County experiences unprecedented growth, my priority remains clear: protecting taxpayers through disciplined, forward-thinking fiscal stewardship.”
— Jennifer Hostetter

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Questions? Email Jennifer at [email protected].

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